Commissioning : Western NSW PHN

WNSW PHN adopts a commissioning-based approach to planning local health services with the aim of improving the health of people living in our region. We work collaboratively with community, general practice and providers to determine what health services are needed in our region and to set the strategic direction, drive service improvements and achieve system change.

What is Commissioning?

Commissioning isn’t just simply purchasing services. It’s a strategic process of working with the market to co-design, co-deliver and actively manage services to most effectively and efficiently meet the needs and improve outcomes of a defined population within resources available.

Ultimately, the aim of commissioning is to enable WNSW PHN to allocate available resources in ways that best address the needs of our region, as identified by our needs assessment.

Our Commissioning Approach

WNSW PHN’s approach is a continuous process of planning, delivering, monitoring and reviewing health services with a focus on person-centred outcomes.

Our approach to commissioning is:

identifying and understanding needs;
in consultation with providers and the community, determining how best those needs can be met – what activities or outcomes should be sought;
assessing how existing providers might be able to meet needs;
building capacity among current and potential providers so they can be better able to meet needs;
encouraging new services and/or new providers where necessary;
negotiating and agreeing on contracts for services with providers;
managing contracts;
reviewing and evaluating providers’ performance and achievements;
incorporating knowledge and experience gained into future commissioning activities; and
providing feedback and intelligence to the provider community as a means to build longer-term sustainability.

The WNSW PHN Commissioning Framework has been established to provide guidance on planning and implementing health commissioning responsibilities under the funding agreement with the Commonwealth. WNSW PHN is committed to a transparent and accountable commissioning cycle and will continue to review and grow this process as we evolve.

To ensure the services commissioned by WNSW PHN are clinically and culturally safe, service providers must comply with the following:

What do we commission?

We commission services to meet local needs and achieve better health outcomes for our communities. Our commissioned services address key priority areas such as Aboriginal health, alcohol and other drugs, chronic conditions, palliative and end of life care, and mental health and suicide prevention.

To view the full list of services WNSW PHN commissions, click here.